Page 45 of Blood Lord

Brinda places her hands on the table, looking down at me with that telltale grin. She feels she holds all the power. "Why do you sound like you're bargaining, Raziel?"

"Because I will only reveal those locations if the Council agrees to all that Selene and I have said. You will give her this role instead of subjecting her to her previous sentence. I'll even take a Council-approved group above ground to set up the base with Selene so that we can start recruiting humans and migrating to the surface.

"But first, you know what you have to say, Brinda."

Her jaw clenches, and I take the chance to dart a glance at Selene from the corner of my eye. I can see the shocked look on her face, and I have a feeling that it doesn't have to do with me wanting to go to the surface or even bargaining for her safety.

I know that Selene could see how little I wanted to go back underground. I've said it a handful of times I'm sure. So, there can only be one reason that both surprise and a hint of excitement dances on her face.

The prospects of mating. We haven't discussed it, and I really hope that she does say yes. I don't want her to think that I am forcing her into it, but I had to ensure that it was built into our negotiations. I don't want them to spare her life only to have her ripped away from me.

And that sounds like something that Brinda would do just to punish me.

A soft murmur behind Brinda draws my attention, and my eyes run over the Council. The two to Brinda's right are whispering something. With a deep frown, the Matriarch turns, and the other two Council members move closer.

I slip closer to Selene, sliding my hand into hers as we await their verdict. I know that Brinda has final say, but she does value the other members' opinions, as a good Matriarch should.

"What are my chances?" Selene murmurs, and no one else seems to hear her.

Brinda is nodding, listening to another vrakken whose gaze keeps flicking to Selene. "I think they're good," I whisper back.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity of waiting and silence, the Council twists back around and takes their seats. Brinda levels her gaze first on me, and then Selene.

"We have decided," she says in her authoritative voice. "In exchange for your help in recruiting humans, setting up the first above ground base, and dedicating your services to the Council." I am trembling with excitement. "We will allow Selene to remain human and grant you both permission to mate."

I sweep her up in my arms as she lets out a relieved breath, and I catch her in a crushing kiss. It's rejuvenating and eases my still shot nerves, and when I finally set her back down, I crush her against my body.

Not having the chance to check before, my fingers trail along her skin. I want to make sure that she isn't hurt, and when my thumb brushes against her still healing bite mark, my eyes shoot up to the guard that bit her.

Snarling, I tell him, "If you ever touch her again, I will rip your throat out and leave you to gasp for air as your body heals. It is a pain you will never come back from."

"You are both dismissed," Brinda says, leaning back with an exasperated sigh, and I don't waste a second.

I scoop Selene up in my arms, pressing her to my chest as I rush into the massive cavern. Others stare at us as we rush through, not having seen her without the glamour before. She is a sight to behold with her pale hair that stands out so much down her among all the dark haired, dark eyed vrakken. Selene is still a pale and striking beauty.

I slow as we approach my door, and letting my magic warm my hand, I draw the unlocking runes in the air before it. The door clicks open and I rush in, dropping her to her feet as I kick the door shut.

"I can't believe you did," I tell her, cupping her face and pulling her in for another kiss. "You were absolutely incredible. No one has ever stood up to Brinda like that."

"I just did as you told me," she whispers, her hands coming up to cover mine, and it's not lost on me as tears start to fill her eyes.

I drop to my knees before her, holding her like glass. "Selene, I am so sorry I put you through all of this. I should have just left you in the cave."

She shakes her head. "No. Then we would have never been able to negotiate the best deal for us. We get to help your people and go to the surface, together."

A tear slips free, and I swipe it away. "Then why are you crying, darling?"

Her bottom lip starts to tremble, and her teeth sink into it as she tries to get ahold of herself. When she finally does speak, her voice warbles, thick with unshed tears and emotion. "Mates?"

26

Selene

The question falls softly off my lips, scared and hopeful. We hadn't talked about being mates before, and I worry that when he asked the Council, it was only to further sell our proposal.

But as he slips a hand behind my head and pulls me gently forward so that our lips meet, I feel a tenderness that can't be faked.

I lean into him, savoring his taste on my lips, and when we part, I smile softly. Raziel grins back at me, brushing my hair back from my face. His fingers linger along my skin, sending sparks of excitement down my spine.

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